Angry residents trap binmen after waste collection dispute

Binmen were prevented from leaving a street in their lorry in a row over missing waste collections.

The council workmen were forced to sit it out until police were called and resolved the dispute.

The dustbin lorry was marooned in Helme Lane, Meltham, Huddersfield, after a car was parked across its path by a local resident.

Police were called to the road to sort out the row and the binmen were eventually allowed to carry on their work.

Residents claim binmen failed to collect the rubbish the previous Monday, resulting in there being more waste.

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Kevin Harrison, 52, told the Huddersfield Examiner, local residents had had enough.

He told the paper: "Every resident on this street can be witness to the fact that there was no bin collection last Monday.

"Something had to be done and we won't stop until a solution is put to us. We feel we have made a significant point."

A spokeswoman for West Yorkshire Police said: "We received a call from the council reporting that a car was blocking the road.

"Officers attended and the owner of the car moved the vehicle after being advised by officers."

Councillor Martyn Bolt, Kirklees Cabinet member for Environment, said the blockade was not acceptable.

He said: "Kirklees refuse collection services in many areas depend on support and common sense from residents to ensure vehicles can access properties.

"99 per cent of all areas do this and I would hope that in the minority where there are difficulties the community could work together to try to agree a solution to allow refuse vehicles access to their properties.

"In this particular instance, the direct action of the resident has been reported to police who, although I understand their response was not rapid, will be investigating.

"There are no circumstances where such behaviour is acceptable and these actions not only threaten the wellbeing of hard-working Kirklees staff but have resulted in there being more properties in Meltham now missing a collection."

The council said about 14 properties were missed last week because of two cars parked on the lane which prevented access.

The crew went back a couple of times last Monday and again on the Tuesday but they were unable to gain access before today, the council said.